Clear Lake students work to build a better world-- one lego at a time

(Above) Members of the FIRST Lego League are pictured outside the Clear Lake Public Library, where one of their recycling containers is placed.  Members include front row (L-R):  Mattea Skinner and Elisabeth Nicolson.  Back row (L-R): Bronson Buitenwerf, Aden Williams, Tyler Skinner, Caleb Nicholson and Ethan Forsyth.  Not available for the photo was Nathan Kamberger, Austin Richardson and Liz Richardson.  -Submitted photo

[caption id="attachment_13957" align="alignleft" width="270"] Caleb Nicholson, Ethan Forsyth and Elisabeth Nicholson learn about battery recycling at the North Iowa Landfill. The barrel of batteries is ready for sorting and recycling. -Submitted photo[/caption]

A Clear Lake Lego team is talking some serious trash - - and the residents of Clear Lake are going to benefit from it.

The team, named First Lego League, will be competing in Denver, Iowa, on Saturday, Nov. 21.  The group was tasked with researching a problem related to trash and finding a solution to the problem.

The group started their research with a tour of the Landfill of North Iowa.  The students returned from the tour sad at the sight of so many recyclable items piling up in the landfill.

“The children realized that many people don’t know how, or where, to recycle batteries,” said Emily Forsyth, a coach of the First Lego League.  “They designed four convenient battery recycling bins, complete with fire safe storage, and delivered them to various locations around town.”

The recycling bins are located at Ace Hardware, the Clear Lake Fire Station, Open Bible Church and the Clear Lake Public Library.  In addition to the large bins, they also distributed smaller “safe sorting stations” for use in homes, businesses, and organizations.  The Clear Lake Arts Center and First Congregational Church have the safe sorting stations.  Each sorting unit also has a sticker listing where the four recycling bins are located in the community.

“Batteries can create fires if they aren’t stored properly, so each sorting station is complete with tape and scissors to cover the ends of batteries that are three volt or higher,” said Forsyth.

It’s important to keep kids safe,” said Austin Richardson, a member of the team.

The Landfill of North Iowa is working with the children to coordinate regular emptying and recycling of batteries collected at these sites.

The First Lego League consists of 10 children ages nine to 13 years.  The competition in Denver will consist of three components, Lego Robotics, Core Values and Project/Presentation.  This year’s theme is “Trash Trek.”  The team is coached by Emily Forsyth and her husband, Aaron.

Members of the team consist of Bronson Buitenwerf, Ethan Forsyth, Nathan Kamberger, Caleb Nicholson, Elisabeth Nicolson, Austin Richardson, Liz Richardson, Mattea Skinner, Tyler Skinner and Aden Williams.

“I like that our team is helping to keep the environment clean for future generations,” said Nathan Kamberger, a member of the team.